India's electronics export industry has experienced a remarkable transformation, soaring over elevenfold to reach ₹4.24 lakh crore by FY2025-26, according to government data. This impressive growth positions India as the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer globally, with mobile phones accounting for ₹2.59 lakh crore in exports. The sector has generated 12 lakh jobs and achieved a significant milestone as mobile phones have risen from the 153rd-largest export item in FY 2014-15 to India's largest export product in FY 2025-26. Production has grown dramatically from ₹18,000 crore in 2014-15 to ₹6.27 lakh crore in 2025-26, while mobile phone exports have surged 165-fold, rising from ₹1,500 crore to ₹2.59 lakh crore over the same period.
The electronics manufacturing sector has achieved significant gender diversity milestones, with women comprising nearly 30 per cent of the workforce in the electronics manufacturing ecosystem. In mobile manufacturing specifically, women account for nearly 70 per cent of the workforce, highlighting the sector's commitment to inclusive employment practices. This representation reflects the broader trend of women's participation in India's digital economy, which now accounts for up to 14 per cent of GDP.
India's digital connectivity has witnessed unprecedented growth, with internet subscribers more than quadrupling from 25.15 crore in 2014 to over 109.2 crore by March 2026. Wireless data costs have fallen dramatically from ₹308 per GB in 2014 to ₹7.51 per GB in 2026, making digital services significantly more affordable. Average mobile broadband download speed has increased substantially from 13.67 Mbps in March 2022 to 132.00 Mbps in December 2025 as per Ookla's global speedtest index. 5G services are now available in 99.9 per cent of districts across States and Union Territories, with the number of 5G Base Transceiver Stations reaching 5.63 lakh in June 2026. Rural connectivity has also expanded, with 6.31 lakh villages now covered by 4G services through BSNL and other telecom operators.
India's trade deficit widened to $31.98 billion in July, marking a six-month high according to Commerce Department data. This represents a significant increase from $30.43 billion in June and $27.88 billion in July 2025, highlighting the growing imbalance between the country's import and export activities. The substantial deficit expansion exceeded economists' estimates of $30.20 billion, as reported by a Reuters poll, reflecting the impact of higher import demand compared to export growth momentum. Electronic goods have now become India's third-largest export category, with exports reaching $47.96 billion in FY 2025, contributing significantly to the overall trade performance.
The remarkable growth in India's electronics sector has been bolstered by flagship government initiatives including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), and Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters (EMC 2.0). These policy interventions have successfully transformed India into a major electronics manufacturing hub, with the sector generating substantial employment and contributing significantly to the country's export performance. The sustained growth trajectory in both electronics manufacturing and digital infrastructure positions India well for continued expansion in the global electronics market.
